How to Choose Mother of the Bride Outfit
The venue’s approved, the invitations are sent out, the cake design is sketched and there’s a high chance of tiers. That’s right, you guessed it - you’re the mother of the bride! Although your daughter will be the one taking centre stage down the aisle, as mother of the bride, you play a vital role in the wedding party too - so, of course, you need to look the part. You likely already know the common rules - don’t wear white; seek direction from the bride and groom; and make sure you’re dressed comfortably. But what about other points of consideration? This guide will take you through everything you need to know! Once you’re all clued up on our suggestions, you’ll be able to confidently settle on an attire that will have you feeling radiant on the big day. Read on to find the perfect mother of the bride outfit for you.
Mother of the Bride Outfits
No matter what role you hold on the day of the ceremony, you must ensure you carry it out comfortably. This means choosing the right outfit for you - which makes it great that you’re now able to consider many different options. Of course, it’s traditional to wear a floor-length elegant gown if your daughter is having a black tie or white tie wedding. But for other dress codes, you have the freedom to opt for several different lengths - in fact, you can even decide against wearing a dress at all. The expectation to don one is no more - alternatives like suits and jumpsuits are just as acceptable! However, here are some pointers just in case in you need them.
Dress of the Season
Weddings are popular at any time of the year, but certain colours are only appropriate seasonally. If the ceremony takes place during autumn or winter, we suggest looking for an outfit in darker hues, particularly jewel tones - dark colours will absorb the sun’s heat and keep you warm. Shades of green, purple, navy and burgundy have got you covered during these seasons.
As the bride's mother, you have many fabrics to consider when deciding on your ensemble. For the cooler months, you should focus on outfits made from wool, cashmere, tweed, polyester, velvet, brocade, tulle or faille. These materials will do well to keep you warm as you spend the day celebrating!
As for weddings in spring and summer, you should look towards smooth, pastel colours. You’ll find lots of dresses, jumpsuits and suits in pink, blue, lavender, peach and more - the light tones reflect the sun’s heat, which is key in keeping you cool. You’re also more likely to find clothing decorated in pretty patterns, like floral.
When the heat rises, it’s all about breathable, lightweight fabrics. Start with cotton for a classic, airy feel, or go for something fluid like chiffon or georgette for a softer drape. Charmeuse and organza bring a touch of polish to warmer days, while linen offers relaxed refinement that's perfect for sunshine. Rayon rounds out the list with its light, breathable texture. Choose any of these materials and you’ll stay cool and effortlessly stylish.
It’s also worth knowing that lace, satin and silk are suitable to wear all year round. These are gorgeous, delicate fabrics that will have you feeling the epitome of elegance.
?fmt=auto&upscale=false&w=704&$h-ttl$)
The Best Colours
As the mother of the bride, you still want to feel special - which means looking slightly different to the bridesmaids and standing out from the other guests. Ultimately, there’s no specific colour you’re expected to wear, but it should ideally complement the shade of the bridesmaids’ attire - so consider looking for an outfit in a similar hue. For instance, if all bridesmaids are decked out in lilac, opting for a lavender look would make a perfect ensemble. But what if the bridal party consists of different colours, you ask? No matter the shades, you should be able to settle on a hue that harmonises with each of them. For example, if there’s a mixture of yellow and blue amongst the bridesmaids, you could go for a green outfit as it’s the result of both colours combining, and balancing out both shades.
Add Layers
To reach the optimum level of sleekness and elegance, we recommend layering your clothes - not only does it add different elements to your outfit, it’ll also keep you warm in changing temperatures.
Depending on the season, different fabrics and textures will be more appropriate for your wedding fit. If your daughter is tying the knot in autumn or winter, then a short tailored faux fur coat is a great choice for comfort and luxury. You can also welcome warmth by going for a cosy knit cardigan, or even a stylish trench or camel coat. To really smarten up your look, why not match the length of the coat to your dress length?
As for a spring or summer wedding, you don’t want to choose something that’s too weighted. Why not keep cool in a plush pashmina? Or opt for a sheer kimono - they’re light but simultaneously stylish. But if you’re seeking sophistication, we can’t recommend a blazer or a bolero enough - both go well with any outfit, fitted or loose.
The goal for your entire attire is cohesion, which means going for clean and seamless layers. The base layer will set the tone for anything you add on top of it, so the colours must complement each other. To achieve this, why not go for a layered monochromatic look? Or, you can opt for different shades in the same family, like a rose jumpsuit and a rouge blazer. If you’re hoping to add a bit of extra flair, consider using colours that contrast each other - for example, pairing a red trench coat with a green dress. You should also keep patterns to a minimum - for example, if your jumpsuit contains floral prints, choose a plain layer.
Accessories
There’s no doubt this day will be one that both families will treasure, so why not get some gorgeous gems for the occasion? With the proper selection of accessories, you can shine bright like a diamond the entire day.
Hats
When choosing your hat, there are a few useful things to bear in mind. You’ll want to have full visibility so as not to miss a second of the ceremony, making a hat with an upturned brim a great option. We recommend steering away from dark headpieces because they might shade part of your face in the wedding pictures.
Despite weddings of the past, being the mother of the bride doesn’t mean you have to wear a large hat - why not try a cocktail, pill box or button hat? Or, you could opt for a fascinator - a smaller headpiece attached to a comb, headband or clip. Lean towards these options if the ceremony starts in the evening, as a large headpiece is usually considered too extravagant for such hours.
We recommend going for a headpiece that’s a very similar colour to your outfit, if not the exact same - as having a harmonious colour palette is sure to put you high on the sophistication scale. Whatever colour palette you go for, remember to consider the season and weather. For example, you’ll probably want to choose a straw hat in warmer temperatures and a felt hat during the colder months
Hat or no hat - any wedding look isn’t complete without a hairdo. A classic option is a donut bun, but you should also consider a classic blow out for a sleek style. There’s nothing wrong with wanting everything to be lavish on the day - in which case, silky curls would be perfect. You could even gather it all together in a ponytail or go in the opposite direction by letting it flow straight down.
Are you in the market for a hair accessory that’s a little less subtle? You’ll look the part in either a clip, slide or headband.
Shoes and Bags
Your daughter’s big day will also see you walking into the spotlight - and while it’s great to do it in style, you must also feel comfortable and confident in your shoes.
If you’re finishing off your look with heels, you need to opt for a style you can easily walk in. Kitten heels are a great choice for a low heel that still offers a bit of a lift, and if you’re looking for another safe choice - you can’t go wrong with a secure block heel. However, if heels aren’t your bag, you can choose to go without them. Whatever shoes you settle on, just ensure you walk around wearing them beforehand to ensure they’re the best fit.
If your daughter is having a formal wedding, opt for ballet flats if you want shoes close to the ground. You can also choose a pair of heeled sandals or classic court shoes - or, if temperatures are cold, go for a closed-toe pair.
If the impending ceremony is casual or taking place during the warmer months, you have the option of heeled sandals once again. Or, if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can’t go wrong with espadrille wedges or a pair of pointed-toe flats.
An excellent way to achieve a sophisticated style is to match your shoe fabric to the fabric of your outfit. If you’re wearing a lace jumpsuit, they’ll pair well with shoes with lace detail. Are you considering investing in a satin suit for the occasion? Then you’ll look enchanting in similar shoes.
Aside from this, the colour of your shoes should accentuate the tone of your ensemble. If you’d like to stick to a traditional tactic, how about getting shoes that are a shade darker than the colour of your outfit? A midi purple dress would look striking against a pair of plum-coloured court shoes. If you’re feeling daring, try creating a beautiful balance between two colours that contrast each other. For example, a yellow polyester suit paired with red ballet pumps.
As for your choice of bag - you’ll want one that’s easy to carry around with you. After all, you’ll probably have to go from pillar to post on the day making sure everything is perfect - in which case, we strongly recommend you opt for a clutch. Though they come in many shapes and forms, it’s a good idea to coordinate your choice of clutch with your outfit carefully. If your attire is already quite extravagant, keep your clutch simple, and vice versa. It should, however, match closely to your shoes. For example, if you have decided on heeled sandals in baby blue, get a clutch in the same shade. If the sandals also contain lime green hues, a plain clutch that matches the predominant colour of the shoes is ideal.
Jewellery
Your outfit is the main event but finishing off with a few gorgeous pieces of jewellery is a sure-fire way to elevate your look. By all means, wear a significant amount, but be careful not to overdo it with statement pieces unless the entirety of your outfit is simple.
Keep it classy with stud or drop earrings in silver or gold, and pair them with a matching pendant - and if you’re big on bracelets, ensure they’re simple. Wear rings as plain as possible, especially as you’ll likely be doing a lot of hand shaking.
All your jewellery should be the same colour, but it’s worth thinking carefully about what matches your outfit. Silver goes well with many colours, including brown, cream, powder blue and pink. On the other hand, gold pairs well with darker tones a lot of the time, such as blue, emerald green, red and purple. With that being said, you don’t want your jewellery to flush out your natural skin tone, so it’s worth knowing that silver jewellery tends to go well with cooler skin tones and gold jewellery pairs perfectly with darker skin tones.
Be sure to apply the above when choosing a watch as well, as a silver or gold strap watch could be a good choice if the wedding isn’t particularly the most formal. However, if it’s traditional, you can’t go wrong opting for a black leather strap with a round face - it matches all styles and colours. If your daughter is having a casual wedding and your entire ensemble is free of embellishments, you might also want to consider a watch with either a glittery face or a jewelled strap. These usually come in silver or gold, so keep the basic rules of matching in mind.
